Continental teams up with IBM in automated driving

German auto parts maker Continental announced Tuesday that it is teaming up with US software giant IBM to develop systems that will eventually enable cars to drive by themselves.

Continental and IBM "want to jointly develop mobile connected vehicle solutions for automakers around the world," the German group's chief executive Elmar Degenhart told reporters on the sidelines of the IAA auto show which opens here this week.

The technology was aimed ultimately at "making automated driving a reality," he said.

There has been speculation in recent weeks that Continental was mulling cooperation with Google, which has long been working on driverless cars.

But Degenhart refused to be drawn into commenting on the rumours.

"We're in touch with many companies," he said.

© 2013 AFP